Expandable travel accessory

ABSTRACT

A travel accessory includes a closeable case, defining an exterior and an interior, and an interior member, attached to the interior. The interior member is configured to unfold, to define a pouch having a size sufficient to contain the closeable case.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/698,326, filed on Sep. 7, 2012 and entitled EXPANDABLE WALLET, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to travel accessories. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an expandable travel accessory with a fold-out pouch for containing personal items.

BACKGROUND

As a result of heightened security measures established in the wake of terrorist attacks and other threats, domestic and international air travelers are now subject to a variety of increasingly intrusive security measures. For example, travelers are now routinely forced to consolidate and deposit items that they carry on their persons into receptacles or bins in order to pass through airport security checkpoints. Current security regulations require all carry-on items and personal effects to be searched or inspected, and require persons traveling via air to be scanned with magnetometers or X-ray body scanning machines.

Travel goods and accessories are useful, everyday items that can make a noticeable difference in people's lives by helping a person to stay organized and prepared when leaving home. They can also smooth the process of travel itself. Given the somewhat onerous nature of current airport security requirements, well-designed luggage and travel accessories are highly desirable to help the traveler plan ahead, pack and prepare for a trip, and can help reduce the time, stress and anxiety imposed at airport security checkpoints. Convenient and easy-to-use travel goods and accessories are very desirable in order to be adequately prepared for circumstances that may arise during any trip, whether across town or around the world.

Some personal accessories, such as wallets and purses, are not well suited to the requirements of airport security checkpoints, and can be cumbersome or awkward at such places. Additionally, travelers frequently carry a variety of items on their person, such as wallet, keys, mobile phone, camera, sunglasses, personal care items, etc., which are often carried in pockets or by hand. When going through an airport security checkpoint, all of these items must be individually deposited into some sort of bin for the security check. This can result in a variety of loose items scattered about in the bottom of the bin, increasing the chances that one or more of these items may be lost or forgotten in the rush through the security point.

The present application is intended to address one or more of the above issues.

SUMMARY

It has been recognized that it would be desirable to have a travel accessory that is adapted for use when a person empties all contents from their pockets, etc.

It has also been recognized that it would be desirable to have a travel accessory that provides a convenient and secure device suited for traveling.

In accordance with one aspect thereof, the present disclosure provides a travel accessory, a closeable case, defining an exterior and an interior, and an interior member, attached to the interior. The interior member is configured to unfold, to define a pouch having a size sufficient to contain the closeable case.

In accordance with another aspect thereof, the present disclosure provides a travel accessory, including a case, configured to open and close like a book, having a closure device, and defining an exterior and an interior. The case includes an inner pocket on an interior face of the closeable case, and includes an interior member, attached to the interior. The interior member has a first side including a currency pocket and at least one credit card pocket, and is configured to unfold, to expose a second side defining a closeable pouch.

In accordance with yet another aspect thereof, the present disclosure provides a method for preparing personal items for inspection. The method includes opening a travel accessory case to expose an interior member thereof, the interior member including a currency pocket and credit card pockets, unfolding the interior member to expose a closeable pouch, and placing personal items into the closeable pouch in preparation for the inspection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an expandable travel accessory in accordance with the present disclosure, with the travel accessory in its closed configuration.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the closed expandable travel accessory of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the travel accessory of FIG. 1, with the travel accessory opened, showing the interior member and various features thereof.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the interior of the travel accessory, showing the currency pocket and other features.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the interior of the travel accessory, with the interior member folded to the side and showing one of the end pockets.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the open travel accessory with the interior interior member detached from the interior of the case.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the exterior side of the interior member when unfolded, showing the currency pocket, credit card pockets and releasable fasteners.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the interior side of the interior member, unfolded to reveal the zippered pouch.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the zipper pouch with a variety of personal items disposed therein.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the interior member unfolded while attached to the interior of the opened case, revealing the zipper pouch.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Advantageously, the present disclosure provides an expandable travel accessory that is very convenient for use when a person empties all contents from their pockets, etc. The travel accessory expands to provide a pouch that provides a convenient place to deposit personal items, such as for security check purposes. The travel accessory also includes a variety of other features that make it very useful and convenient. The expandable travel accessory itself can be water-resistant, and the pouch can also be water-resistant and detachable.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the expandable travel accessory 10 includes a closeable outer case 12 having a front side 14 and a back side 16, with a zipper 18, which selectively engages the front and back sides together along the edges (e.g. three edges). The zipper 18 includes a pair of zipper tracks, with a zipper slider 24 and pull tab 26 that selectively draws together and engages the front side 14 and back side 16 of the travel accessory. Fixedly attached to the outer case 12 near one end of the zipper 18 is an outer loop 28 that can be used as a key ring holder or for other purposes. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer loop is attached to a carabiner loop 29, which can be used to attach the travel accessory 10 to luggage or other items.

The outer case and other components of the expandable travel accessory 10 can be made of a variety of materials, including both man-made and natural materials, including leather, nylon, and any other sufficiently rigid and strong material. Suitable materials can be selected for particular desired properties. For example, water repellant nylon is one material that is particularly suitable for forming the travel accessory case. Additionally, the zipper and its components can be of high-strength water-resistant materials.

The front side 14 of the case includes an outer storage pocket 30, which can be used for any desired purpose, such as to hold papers, coins, etc. This outer storage pocket 30 can include a closure device, such as a snap, a flap, Velcro, etc. to hold it closed and prevent contained items from falling out. As shown in FIG. 2, the back side 16 of the case 12 of the expandable travel accessory 10 includes a belt loop 32, which can be used to attach the travel accessory 10 to a belt, or for other purposes. The belt loop 32 and outer loop 28 can be made of durable fabrics that are the same as or similar to the material of the remainder of the travel accessory.

When the zipper 18 is opened, the case 12 opens like a book to reveal an interior 34 having variety of convenient features, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and described herein. In this embodiment, the interior 34 of the travel accessory 10 includes an interior member 36, which in the depicted embodiment is a billfold-type wallet. In this embodiment the interior member 36 includes a currency pocket 38 and multiple other pockets or slots 40 for credit cards, debit cards, identification cards, and the like, as are common in wallets. It is to be understood that the term “credit card pocket,” as used herein, denotes anything that is configured like a credit card pocket, regardless of its actual use. Any pocket into which one can slide a card, paper, or similar object or that is configured like such pockets is to be considered to be a “credit card pocket.” One side of the billfold in this embodiment includes a pocket 40 with a transparent window 42, which can be used for holding an identification card or the like. This can be very convenient for displaying the I.D. card when needed, without having to remove it from the wallet portion. Other features that are common to billfolds or wallets can also be incorporated into the interior member 36, as desired.

It is to be appreciated that the interior member 36 and/or the expandable travel accessory 10 as a whole can be configured in a variety of other ways, for other types of functionality in addition to or instead of a billfold or wallet function. For example, the expandable travel accessory 10 can be configured as a case for a mobile phone, smartphone, tablet computer, e-reader or the like, or it can be configured as a carrier or binder for documents or for a book, and many other options. In each case, the interior member 36 and other features of the accessory 10 can be designed to accommodate the particular use.

The interior member 36 can be folded to one side within the case 12, revealing other features, as shown in FIG. 5. In this embodiment the interior 34 of the case 12 includes an inner pocket 44 on an interior face of the closeable case 12. This inner pocket 44 can be used for many purposes, such as holding papers, currency, identification documents, ticket stubs, etc., and can include a closure device (not shown), if desired. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the inner pocket 44 has a size that is suitable for holding a passport, and includes a substantially transparent window portion 46, allowing viewing of the contents of the pocket. Though not shown, the interior member 36 can be folded in a direction opposite that shown in FIG. 5, allowing access to a similar pocket or other features on the inside of the opposite side (e.g. the back side 16) of the case 12.

The interior member 36 can be removable from the interior 34 of the case 12, as shown in FIG. 6. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the interior member 36 is releasably attached to the interior 34 of the case 12 by snaps, including snap members 48 on the case and snap members 50 on the interior member 36. The snap members 50 on the interior member 36 are visible in FIG. 7 as well. These snaps allow the interior member to be attached within the case 12 when desired, or removed therefrom when desired.

Advantageously, the interior member 36 is configured to unfold and provide a pouch for receiving personal items. As shown in FIGS. 7-9, the interior member 36 has a first side 52, which includes the wallet features shown and described with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4, and also bears the snap members 50. The interior member also includes a second side 54, which is generally covered and concealed when the interior member 36 is folded, but which, when unfolded, reveals a pouch 56, defined by the first side 52 and second side 54 of the interior member 36, having a zipper closure 58. The pouch 56 can be water resistant, the zipper closure 58 being water-resistant and having a high-strength, water-resistant zipper slider 60 that slides on opposing zipper tracks. These features allow the pouch 56 to be opened or closed when desired, and to be water-resistant. Alternatively, the pouch 56 does not have to be closeable. Instead, it can be configured without a zipper or other closure device, yet still serve to receive and contain personal items in the same way. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-9, the pouch 56 has a substantially transparent side wall or window 66, which allows the contents of the pouch to be viewed when the pouch 56 is closed. This window 66 can be a durable clear urethane plastic or other suitable transparent material, such as a transparent polymer.

The size of the pouch 56 depends upon the size of the interior member 36 and the number of folds to which the interior member is subject. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the interior member 36 includes only one fold in addition to the wallet fold, so that the pouch 56 is approximately twice as large as the wallet portion when the wallet portion is opened for use. However, it will be apparent that other configurations for the interior member 36 can also be used, such as multiple folds, allowing the pouch to be more than twice as large as the folded interior member 36. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the pouch 56 has a size that is at least sufficient to contain the closeable case 12.

Advantageously, the unfolded pouch 56 provides a closeable container for holding personal items when desired, such as at an airport security check point. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the pouch 56 can be used to hold a mobile phone 62, car keys 64, chewing gum 65, personal care items, coins, and other items that people normally carry on their person and are often asked to remove from pockets, etc. when going through a security check point. Indeed, given its size, the travel accessory case 12 can be detached from the interior member 36 and placed into the pouch 56 if desired. This use allows a user's personal items to be stowed and secured, to be easily searchable, and contained within a single container, rather than being loose and separate.

The detachable interior member 36 can also be detached from the case 12 if desired and used separately. For example, an interior member 36 configured as in this disclosure can be used as a folded wallet and carried by itself in a pocket. Other configurations and uses for the interior member 36 can also lend themselves to separate use. Likewise, the case 12 can be used separate from the interior member, if desired.

While FIGS. 6-9 show an interior member 36 that is detachable from the interior 34 of the case 12, it is to be understood that the travel accessory 10 disclosed herein can also have the interior member 36 fixedly attached to the case 12. As shown in FIG. 10, the interior member 36 can be unfolded while still attached to the case 12, allowing the pouch 56 to be used in this configuration, whether the interior member 36 is fixedly attached, or is detachable but merely kept attached for use. In this way, a user can keep the pouch 56 and case 12 attached to each other, which can be very desirable. For example, at a security check point such use keeps the case 12 and pouch 56 attached as a single unit, rather than being separate pieces or using up space within the pouch 56 to hold the case.

The expandable travel accessory disclosed herein thus provides a portable, durable, and water-resistant multifunctional travel accessory that easily and efficiently allows users to remove items from their persons and temporarily store them in one water-resistant container. It thus provides a very convenient item for everyday use, and makes a very useful and convenient travel accessory as well. For example, in many situations while traveling, travelers can easily misplace items when they are required to remove them from pockets, etc. Additionally, as a traveler it is very desirable to keep travel documents in a secure and easily accessible place. This expandable travel accessory provides these functions and thus can contribute to the success of a trip.

While the foregoing written description of the invention is intended to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the same, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all the embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed. Although various embodiments have been shown and described, the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims, and will be understood to include all such modifications and variations as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A travel accessory, comprising: a closeable case, defining an exterior and an interior; and an interior member, attached to the interior, configured to unfold, to define a pouch having a size sufficient to contain the closeable case.
 2. A travel accessory in accordance with claim 1, wherein the closeable case is configured to open and close like a book, and comprises a zipper closure.
 3. A travel accessory in accordance with claim 1, wherein the closeable case is substantially water resistant.
 4. A travel accessory in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an inner pocket on an interior face of the closeable case.
 5. A travel accessory in accordance with claim 4, wherein the inner pocket includes a substantially transparent portion, allowing viewing of the contents thereof.
 6. A travel accessory in accordance with claim 1, wherein the interior member is removably attached to the interior of the case.
 7. A travel accessory in accordance with claim 1, further comprising at least one of a belt loop, a storage pocket and an attachment loop on the exterior of the closeable case.
 8. A travel accessory in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pouch is closeable and is substantially water resistant.
 9. A travel accessory in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pouch includes a substantially transparent side panel, allowing viewing of the contents thereof.
 10. A travel accessory in accordance with claim 1, wherein the interior member includes a currency pocket and at least one credit card pocket.
 11. A travel accessory, comprising: a case, configured to open and close like a book, having a closure device, and defining an exterior and an interior; an inner pocket on an interior face of the closeable case; and an interior member, attached to the interior, having a first side including a currency pocket and at least one credit card pocket, and being configured to unfold, to expose a second side defining a closeable pouch.
 12. A travel accessory in accordance with claim 11, wherein the closeable pouch includes a substantially transparent panel, allowing viewing of the contents thereof.
 13. A travel accessory in accordance with claim 11, wherein the closeable pouch is substantially water resistant.
 14. A travel accessory in accordance with claim 11, further comprising at least one of a belt loop, a storage pocket and an attachment loop on the exterior of the case.
 15. A travel accessory in accordance with claim 11, wherein at least one of the inner pocket and a credit card pocket include a substantially transparent portion, allowing viewing of the contents thereof.
 16. A method for preparing personal items for inspection, comprising: opening a travel accessory case to expose an interior member thereof, the interior member including a currency pocket and credit card pockets; unfolding the interior member to expose a closeable pouch; and placing personal items into the closeable pouch in preparation for the inspection.
 17. A method in accordance with claim 16, wherein unfolding the interior member comprises detaching the interior member from the travel accessory case.
 18. A method in accordance with claim 17, further comprising placing the travel accessory case into the closeable pouch.
 19. A method in accordance with claim 16, further comprising placing security and/or identification documents into a transparent pocket on an interior of the travel accessory or in a transparent pocket of the interior member.
 20. A method in accordance with claim 16, wherein placing the personal items into the pouch comprises placing the personal items behind a transparent panel of the pouch, so that the personal items are visible while in the pouch. 